Creating an environment where students feel both physically and psychologically safe, welcomed, and valued is essential for their academic success—one cannot occur without the other. To achieve this, educators must first reflect on their own biases and areas of strength,and then take deliberate actions to cultivate an inclusive and equitable classroom culture.
Auditing for Equity
Before educators can take meaningful action, they must first collect relevant data. Reflecting on their own instructional practices using tools like MAEC’s Equity Audit is an effective starting point. This tool helps educators gain practical insights into what equity looks like in the classroom and assess whether their systems, procedures, and practices are truly equitable. They are prompted to review aspects like their instructional strategies, classroom management techniques, and interpersonal relationships. It’s important to understand that this process is ongoing—there is no final endpoint. To foster a truly inclusive and equitable environment, this kind of self-reflection must be repeated regularly. At Classical Charter Schools, teachers have the opportunity to dig into this work using the Equity Audit during Professional Development but are encouraged to use this tool throughout the year, independently.
Planning for Implementation
After identifying areas for growth in systems and practices, the next step is to develop a strategic, actionable plan. It’s important that the goals are clear and specific to avoid making the work feel overwhelming or unfocused. Consider the concrete steps needed to achieve these goals, including when each step should be completed, who you need to collaborate with or seek support from, and how the steps will be carried out. Additionally, metrics for success must be established. How will you know when you’ve achieved your goals? What does progress look like, and how will it be measured? Creating a plan here at Classical might look like connecting with your Grade Team Leader and Instructional coach to collaborate on ways to make the most out of Classical Conversations or Morning Meeting.
Strategies for Creating Inclusive & Equitable Classrooms
Building trust with students is essential in creating inclusive and equitable classrooms. One effective way to build trust is by planning activities that help both teachers and students get to know each other’s backgrounds, interests, and personalities. For example, teachers can use icebreaker activities like “The Human Bingo Game,” where students receive a bingo card with statements like “Has a pet,” “Speaks two languages,” or “Has traveled abroad.” Students then mingle and ask each other questions to find someone who fits each description, allowing them to learn more about their peers in a fun and interactive way, or a “Cultural Share,” where students introduce something meaningful from their culture or background. These activities not only help teachers understand their students better but also create opportunities for students to learn about each other. As a classroom teacher at Classical, I would often use days when my class needed to remain inside for recess to incorporate these games and activities. I found that those times were a perfect opportunity to get all the scholars involved.
Additionally, incorporating team-building exercises fosters cooperation and strengthens relationships. Activities like “Collaborative Problem-Solving Challenges,” where students work together to solve puzzles or complete tasks, or “Reflection Circles,” where students share thoughts or experiences on a given topic, encourage teamwork and mutual respect. Morning meetings, which are incorporated into Classical’s schedule are ideal for facilitating these activities, allowing students to connect and build a sense of community. These activities would be beneficial at the start of the year but should continue throughout the year to maintain strong relationships.
In addition to building trust with students, it is equally important to establish trust with families, who are our primary partners. This can be achieved by maintaining open and consistent communication. Teachers should consider each family’s preferred communication methods and language to ensure information is accessible and clear. Providing families with regular updates and ensuring they understand the information shared helps build trust. Teachers should also reflect on the frequency of communication, striving for a balance between constructive feedback and positive touch points. At Classical, all teachers are required to make welcome phone calls and maintain these positive touchpoints throughout the year. Sending family surveys in their preferred language can help gather important information, while creating a communication tracker ensures that you are staying in touch with all families. These two strategies can support effective and inclusive communication.
The physical space in the classroom is a powerful way to make both students and families feel seen and valued. There are several ways to ensure that your environment reflects equity and inclusiveness. For example, designate a space to celebrate student work—whether it’s a piece they are particularly proud of or a mistake they’ve corrected. This shows students that their efforts are recognized and that it is okay to make mistakes. Other strategies include posting information about school-wide or community events, partnering with local businesses to promote their services, or displaying a “quote of the week” chosen by families on a rotating basis. These simple actions help create a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere that honors the diverse contributions of students and their families.
Ultimately, it’s not about the specific strategies you choose to implement in your classroom, but about starting the journey with genuine self-reflection and a commitment to take that first step. The key is to begin with an open mind, a willingness to grow, and the determination to create a space where every student feels valued and supported.
